Casablanca – On November 27, 2024, a significant partnership was forged between the National Observatory of Human Development (ONDH) and the World Bank with the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing the evaluation of Morocco’s social protection programs. The agreement, formalized in Rabat, is set to bolster the monitoring and assessment of key initiatives under the Royal Social State project, which focuses on social protection, direct support for vulnerable populations, and educational development.

The memorandum was signed by Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank Director for the Maghreb and Malta, and Otmane Gair, President of ONDH. The agreement outlines plans for the two institutions to collaborate on evaluating various aspects of Morocco’s social programs, including the National Population Register (RNP), the Unified Social Register (RSU), and the Direct Social Assistance Program (PASD).

The objective of this partnership is to create a decision-support system that will help optimize the targeting of beneficiaries, ensuring the most effective use of resources. Additionally, the collaboration aims to develop new indicators for assessing the impact of these programs, particularly in areas such as poverty reduction, access to essential services, and social inclusion.

The World Bank will provide technical assistance to ONDH in several areas. This includes supporting the development of systems to monitor student progress, evaluating the effectiveness of public policies in education, healthcare, and early childhood development, and conducting micro-simulation studies to predict the potential impacts of future social policies. The World Bank will also assist in building forecasting models to guide data-driven policy decisions and in strengthening the targeting mechanisms used in Morocco’s social support programs.

Since its inception in 2006, the ONDH has been tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of human development policies and programs in Morocco, using a comprehensive system of observation and analysis. Through this new partnership, both organizations hope to enhance the country’s capacity to monitor and refine social programs, ultimately improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The World Bank’s commitment to Morocco’s social development is also reflected in its financial support. Between 2020 and 2023, the Bank provided $2.2 billion to fund various social initiatives, including efforts to expand social protection and improve access to education.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from various Moroccan ministries, public institutions involved in the Royal Social State initiative, and UN agencies operating in the country. This collaboration represents a key step in ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of Morocco’s social policies as the country continues to prioritize human development in its national agenda.